My Journey as a Female Educator in Zimbabwe’s Journalism Training Schools

Teaching journalism in Zimbabwe wasn’t a path that offered many examples of women in leadership. The challenges I encountered were numerous, skepticism, resistance and an environment where the voices of women educators in media weren’t always valued. But the more I faced obstacles, the stronger my resolve became. This journey has been one of pushing boundaries, not just for myself, but for all the aspiring female journalists looking up to us for inspiration and guidance. Today, I share my story and the lessons that turned me into a "bull" in media education, ready to push through any barrier.

When I first entered the field, I quickly realised that being a woman in a journalism training role often meant starting at a disadvantage. Questions arose not about my qualifications but about my gender and whether I had the “toughness” required to teach journalism. There were moments when colleagues and even students would subtly, undermine my authority. This wasn’t just a personal challenge but a reflection of the deeper biases in our society that see women as less capable in the high stakes, often confrontational world of media.

But what I saw as obstacles, I also saw as opportunities. With every doubt cast on my abilities, I found ways to demonstrate my strengths. I became dedicated to honing my skills, ensuring my lectures were more than knowledge transfers, they became transformative sessions, blending real world applications with a supportive environment for students. I refused to let anyone define my place in the classroom or the newsroom.

One of my proudest accomplishments has been fostering a safe and empowering environment for female students. Too often, young women entering journalism are met with a wall of “don’ts, such as don’t be too assertive, don’t stand out, don’t challenge norms. I knew I had to break down these walls, showing them that resilience, intellect and empathy were not only valid but essential qualities for journalists.

In my classroom, I make space for open discussions about the unique challenges women face in the industry, from discrimination to the harassment that, unfortunately, still runs rampant. Together, we confront these issues, brainstorming solutions and fostering a sense of solidarity. We are each other’s support system, preparing for a world that may question us but won’t shake our resolve.

To tackle the obstacles, I leaned heavily on the power of data journalism. Data driven insights have been transformative for me as both a teacher and a female educator. I taught my students and myself to rely on facts and figures as tools for advocacy, tools that no one can ignore. With data, I could highlight the gender gaps in media more concretely, drawing undeniable lines between the systemic issues and their impact on women journalists.

In using data, I was no longer just a lecturer; I was a storyteller with proof. I trained students to be “bulls” in their own right, analytical, resilient and empowered by data to push back against outdated perceptions. Today, my students aren’t just learning journalism; they’re learning how to be change-makers, using facts as their voice.

It hasn’t been an easy road. There are still days when I feel the weight of the biases and limitations placed upon us as female educators in media. But I keep pushing forward because every young woman who sits in my classroom is a reminder of the change we’re building. For every barrier I break, I hope to see ten others fall for the next generation of women in Zimbabwean media.

Today, I am proud to be one of the “bulls” in media training, strong, unyielding and committed to leaving this field better for those who come after. But the journey doesn’t end here. As a community, we must continue to support women educators, empower our female students, and fight for a media landscape where every voice has a place and every woman is seen and valued.

#WomenInMedia #EmpoweredEducation #BreakingBarriers #DataJournalism #SupportWomenEducators #ZimbabweMedia